It’s all about helping each other

Chairman’s Message

Wow, what a great convention! I am on the plane, heading back to Milwaukee and thinking about all the things MCAA has going for its members.

There were lots of great seminars like Foreman Development, Wall Bracing, Scheduling and MQI, to name a few. This is a good way for contractors who need to fulfill certification requirements to get it done and talk with other contractors. Contractors Round Table discussions were packed with contractors eager to share or hear how their piers handle different problems as well.

Masonry Foundation

This is what MCAA and life are all about: helping each other. MCAA is breaking new grounds with the newly created Masonry Foundation. This foundation will serve as the key to funding the many challenges that face our industry now and in the future. It is our goal to raise $2.5 million over the next three years.

Right now, BIM-M is extremely important for the masonry industry. If we do not get this done, and done right, our competitors will put an end to masonry as we know it today. MCAA has pledged $400,000 over the next four years. We also need money to finance workforce development and education, to ensure we have the best-skilled workforce for our industry. Tom Daniel will serve as chairman, with Mackie Bounds as campaign chairman.

Brazos Masonry (Mackie and Pete) have pledged $100,000 over five years. Other associations have stepped up: Milwaukee Mason Contractors – $50,000 over five years; St. Louis Masonry Industry – $75,000 over five years; Arizona Mason Contractors – $25,000 over five years; Mason Contractors Association of California – $5,000 over five years; and Texas Masonry Council – $5,000 for 2014.

We met our pledge for 2013, paying off our first $100,000, so we should all be proud. Don't sit back and let others do all the heavy lifting. Feel free to contact MCAA or visit the MCAA website to make an investment in your future. Your donation is 100 percent tax deductible. Just as we should leave this world a little better, so we should with our industry.

Masonry Madness

Just when you think this event couldn't get better, it does. Spec Mix does an unbelievable job running this event. The Skills Challenge, Fastest Trowel on the Block, and BRICKLAYER 500 were amazing to watch. This was NCMA’s second year as a sponsor and we really had a great demonstration on the use of block. New this year was BAC, which was a sponsor for the Skills Challenge. The BAC demonstrated great uses of different materials. We thank both NCMA and BAC, and look forward to working with them in the next year.

MCAA also is proud to announce our new, extended contract with The World of Concrete and World of Masonry through 2017. The convention has served as a platform to bring the masonry industry together. We can all work together to solve our industries problems.

The MCAA Regional Program was announced and will happen across the country at various times during the year. The program will consist of Contractor Roundtables, educational classes and new product demonstrations. It will run a couple of days and will enable MCAA to reach out to members on a more personal nature. We also will reach out to nonmembers, showing them what MCAA is all about and how we can make their companies even stronger.

In closing, something we say in the Martial Arts is “PIL SUNG,” which means “certain victory” or “we can do.” I totally believe we can, and so should you.

About the Author

Mark Kemp is the President and CEO of Superior Masonry Builders, Inc. in Butler, Wisc. He has served as an officer on the Executive Board and Region D Vice President for the Mason Contractors Association of America.

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.